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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (July 6, 1908)
be J.tetteirnoutb Journal Semi-Weekly Semi - Weekly FOUR PAGES FOUfl PAGES VOLUME XX VIII PLATTS3IOUTH. NEBRASKA. MONDAY, JULY , 1908 numjjkk 2s i One of the Most Successful Gelebra tions Ever Held in South east Nebraska. The Merchants' Parade One of the Great Fea tures of the Day Address of Gov. Shel don and Judge Oldham Another. "The biggest and best," was what everyone had to say when the last rocket ascended Saturday night and closed the Fourth of July celebration. From start to finish the celebration was an unquali fied success. Everyone was pleased be yond expression and the thousands who journeyed into the city to see if Platts ! nouth could really do all it had promised n the way of celebrating the nation's hiatal day, went away satisfied that -Plattsmouth not only could, but did do all it promised. That this was done, was due to the great energy and push displayed by all the committees having the matter in charge, and particularly to Henry A. Schneider, who toiled early and late for the success ot the under taking, and whose enthusiasm was con tagious and infected all with whom he came in contact. There were others who did a marvelous amount of work, but Mr. Schneider's efforts covered a wider field and were productive of greater results. The thanks of the public can also be extended to Presi dent Wescott, Secretary Hatt and Messrs Egenberger, Gering, Morgan, Bach, Sattler and others, while the pub licity given the occasion through the columns of the press aided in its suc cess immeasurably. ! The crowd which attended the cele bration is estimated at ten. thousand, which, considering crop conditions and the general labor conditions, is a more than satisfactory attendance. And they came from everywhere the farm, the workshop and the business house ; alike contributed to throng the streets . .Vith a good-natured, merry-making ;rowd, bent on having the time of their Jives and having it. One of the largest contributions to the crowd was that brought in by the train from Louisville f there being C25 tickets sold at that i point for this city besides the passen gers from Cedar Creek and Cullom. lowing to the mismanagement of some me at Louisville, no notice was given ".he railroad company of the size of the ::rowd expected and the result was that Lio extra equipment was provided in the rain, the result causing the coaches to '.e crowded to the doors, the platforms 'lied and some seventeen being com pelled to ride on the engine. Despite his drawback they all came and went .way happy and contented. Additional Jjuipment was found for the special ck wWch left as scheduled. The Mis cAiri Pacific from Nebraska City rought many visitors from that city 'nd a great number from Union and tIurray. The trains from the east also Jave us many Iowa visitors, while the people literally poured in from the sur hinding country. Weather Excellent and Order Good. The weather conditions throughout ae day were excellent the morning iwned bright and pleasant and the ?at of the afternoon was tempered by ist enough clouds and breeze to keep ie crowds in fine humor. The best of der prevailed throughout the day, the lice finding time heavy on their hands id being able to participate in the stivities. There were several locked ) who had imbibed too freely, but they re of the harmless variety and were -nply taken in for their own good, jnsidering the size of the crowd the ,der was fine and speaks volumes for e high class of people present. ,The program was pulled off promptly I advertised, there being no fiascos to ar the result of the splendid list of at fcctions arranged by the committees, Scepting the unavoidable cancelling of e morning ball game the grounds not X in condition to permit it be jng played. Promptly at 8 :15 our own tizens' Band started the day with its fcrch up Main street, discoursing the - ual high grade of band music and en ising the crowd, which, even at that time, was large. The postponing of the ball game allowed the band to give an extended concert on the street, which was well received and highly pleasing to the crowd. The delay of the Mis souri Pacific train prevented the Ne braska City band from arriving until 9:30 a. m., at which time the parade was formed and commenced its line of march. The free trapeze performance upon Main street, between Fourth and Fifth, came oil promptly at y:JU, ana was a highly creditable performance. It pleased the crowd and met liberal ap plause. The Grand Parade. The parade which was to move at 10 o'clock was delayed a little in starting, owing to the great number of floats en tered, they numbering forty-eight in all, a most magnificent showing for the business men of the city and speaking volumes for their enterprise. Every float in line was a great advertisement, many of them representing a large ex penditure of time and money and being strong competitors for the prize offered by the committee for the best float. The line of march was down Vine street to Third, from Vine to Pearl on Third, down Pearl to Second, from Pearl to Main on Second, up Main from Second to Seventh, thence to Sixth on Vine and thence to Garfield Park. The parade was headed by Marshal Joe Fitzgerald with Quartis Parmele as an aid Henry Schneider being Marshal of the day. Headed by the Nebraska City band, a fine appearing body of men and good musicians, the parade moved down Vine at 10:15. Following the band came the carriage containing the speaker of the morning, Hon. W. D. Oldham, with Judge H. D. Travis, Geo. Oldham and County Judge Beeson, as the other oc cupants. Then followed the floats. Ptak & Bajeck came first with their cigarmaking industry, a good repre sentation of the industry. Then came the Woodmen team, making a fine show ing as representatives of their order. The team was generously applauded. B. A. McElwain's entry came next, be ing the handsomest and most artistic rig in the parade. It consisted of the horse and buggy of Ralph White, with himself driving and occupied by Miss Ruth Johnson, strikingly handsome as the Goddess of Liberty. The decora tions of the rig were neat and highly effective and judged by the applause which greeted it, it was a popular num ber. The Plattsmouth Telephone Com pany followed with a fine float, repre senting the telephone industry, after which came Dr. Barnes with his vetri nary profession. The Peerless, Ed Do nat, had a float representing the pro duct of John Gund, which caused much laughter; this being followed by the float of Robert Sherwood & Son, one of the best in line and one which was highly commented upon as displaying much activity and expense in its pre paration. J. D. Thompson with his ex press and mail carrying business was in line next, after which the business of J. P. Falter had its inning. Then came the float of the Eagles lodge, another calling forth well merited applause and one of the tastiest and best decorated in the parade. F. G. Egenberger, with his bottling works, came next and had also a highiy creditable float, eetting his share of applause for his enterprise. The Gas and Lighting Company adver tised "Cook with Gas" in a neat and at tractive float, while Nemetz & Co. had a fine float representing Fairy Ice Cream and their kindred products, being also an applause getter. Perhaps the great est favorite in line was Wescott's dis play, this being on account of their en terprise and courage in entering after the extreme misfortune which had be fallen them. The advertised "We Are On the Water Wagon Now," and every nn Kl one whooped it up good and plenty for t iem. Another flood victim who showed great pluck and enterprise was John Bauer and his display was more than creditable. The Young Men's Bible Class was something out of the ordinary for a display and took well. One of the best floats in the parade was J. E. Mc Daniels', he evidently having spared no expense to make a fitting showing. This float had a large revolving bottle upon it, which elicited much attention for its mechanical effect. Henry C. Mc Maken was one of the star entries in the parade, exhibiting his many lines of business with a separate float for each line, having a total of eight wagons in the parade. His exhibit of the ancient and modern methods of mixing concrete was interesting and timely. He also advertised his ice, sand, oil and other industries appropriately. One of the spectacular floats and one displaying great care in preparation was E. G. Dovey & Son, who had the "Gold Dust Twins" as an exhibition. This float re ceived great applause. F. C. Benfer had Blatz beer and Sunny Brook whis key well advertised and was f ollowed by one of the best floats in that of Jesse Perry, who had his barber shop in active operation on the float. This unique float was also a favorite. J. V. Egenberger, the coal and feed man, was there with ar good float representing his line of busi niss, while Kroehler's hardware store came next with a fine display and one with much expense attached to its pre paration. This was among those strik ing a popular chord. The Turner society had a class of turners on a float with much athletic apparatus and received generous applause. The second section of the parade was headed by the Citizens' Band, after which M. Fanger showed the crowd how he came to Plattsmouth, and in the sec ond float how his business had grown. He, too, caught the popular fancy and wa3 liberally applauded. Peter Goos advertised the "Beer That Made Mil waukee Famous" with a good float, followed by H. M. Soennichsen's float showing his several lines of business. Next came V. T. Kuncl, who had an unique representation of the bakery in full operation, being an excellent float. The Plattsmouth Steam Laundry put up two shirts labeled "Before and After," which evoked great laughter. Lorenz Bros, advertised "Kamo" tea and had a fine float, making an excellent impres sion. Aug. Bach followed with "Advo" coffee; also, having an impressive ad vertising float and catching the crowd. A troop of Redmen came next, being realistic in their paint and feathers, and getting much applause. John W. Cra bill, the jeweler, had one of the finest floats in the procession and displayed much care and expense in making it up. He was liberally applauded. Zuck weiler & Lutz had also one of the finest displays in the parade and got well merited applause. This firm had one of the best floats in the parade and was a strong competitor for the prize. W. L. Street advertised his sewing machine business and was followed by one of the most unique floats in the parade, that of Hatt & Son. Thia consisted of a high hat mounted upon a pole with a repre sentation of a rising sun just below it. This float got much applause. John S. Hall had another strong bidder for the prize in a very handsome float advertis ing hi3 several lines of business. Wil son's float followed and the W. C. T. U. were in line with an appeal to people to be temperate. Asemissen & Sons had a fine float representing their hardware business, having ' put much time and money into its preparation. This float was also a strong competitor for the prize. Another very fine float followed in that of E. A. Wurl, the enterprising Sixth street merchant. By many this float was considered the best in the parade. As has been said Wescott's float had the crowd and the end of the parade was brought up by Jos. Fetzer's elephant, under the management of Henry Goos. The elephant received a big share of applause. Taken all around the parade is considered the best ever given in Cass county and would have been a credit to acity many times the size of Plattsmouth. Much of the credit for its success and especially for its ex tent is due to Henry Schneider's per sistent pushing of the matter, he camp ing with any recalcitrant until he came into line and joined the procession. The judges awarded the prize for the best display to B. A. McElwain, but there were so many others in the race, and each of them had so good a display that the choice was only made after long deliberation and much hesitancy. Exercises at Garfield Park. After the parade, the crowd adjourned to Garfield Park where the exercises were held. At the park the exercises wei e presided over by Hon. H. D. Travis and were opened by a selection by the Nebraska City band which was well rendered and well received. The United Singers of Plattsmouth, under the di rection of Mr.H. S. Austin then gave a chorus which was splendidly executed and was a tribute to the care taken in training them. Judge Beeson then read that grandest of masterpieces, the Declaration of Independence, the words of which are as pregnant with meaning tonay as they were 132 years ago, and which thrill the audience now as then. A bass solo by Mr. H. S. Austin com prised one of the best numbers on an exceptional program and was greeted with hearty applause, a splendid tribute to his ability. Hon. H. D. Travis then introduced the speaker of the morning, Hon. W. D. Oldham, of Kearney. Judge Travis being a long time acquaintance of Judge Oldham, was at home in introducing the speaker, and did so in his happiest vein, knowing that he was introducing one of Nebraska's real orators. And after the audience had heard Judge Oldham they understood that anything Judge Travis had said was too mild, as it is universally conceded Judge Oldham's address was one of the finest addresses ever delivered in this city. The address was practically a thesis on popular government and the formation and development of our constr'tutior. and government. Besides being a profound and scholarly dissertation, the address was a masterpiece of word-painting and eloquence. Faultlessly delivered, the speaker's words rang out through the park as a clarion note of tribute to the grea genius of the fathers of the republic His tracing of the growth of popular government in Rome, Greece and the republics of old, the rise of the truly American idea in the constitution and the great need of watchfullness in this present day that our liberties shall re main as they were given, aroused a hearty and responsive amen from his audience. At its close there was only one verdict to be rendered by all who heard him and that was that Willis D. Oldham was one of Nebraska's greatest orators and scholars. It can be truly said that his speech was the greatest oration ever delivered in this city and today he numbers more admirers here than he could ever have dreamed of having. Too much can not be said in praise of his masterful address. After music by the Citizens band, the audience at the park adjourned for din ner, satisfied that the morning portion of the program had been a thorough success. The Afternoon Program The afternoon program was divided into two portions, the one being at Garfield Park, while the other took place upon Main and Sixth streets. The crowd which had been large in the morning became much greater after noon and the streets were congested early with a great throng of sight seers and pleasure seekers. At Garfield Park the afternoon pro gram opened with a baby show under the direction of Mrs. Geo. Dovey. It was intended to hold the show in the band stand at first and announcement to this effect was made by Chas. Grimes, who hastily rescinded the plan after a deluge of fond mothers with various sized babes had descended upon the judges, Mrs. A. E. Gass, Mrs. H. S. Austin and Miss Ethel Dovey. They were unable to move out in the throng and the contest was adjourned to the lawn, Mr. Grimes announcing that race suicide was not a question of doubt in Cass county and the band stand being too small for the number of babies present. The judges waded through some twenty-eight entries nar rowing the contest down until finally they decided upon No. 20 who turned out to be Merna, the two-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wolff of Cedar Creek. After making the de cision, the judges discreetly fled. After the baby show came the free trapeze performance by little Miss Johnson which . pleased the audience immensely. The Nebraska City, band then gave a selection after which Prof. Austin's United Singers gave another especially pleasing number. To entertain the crowd pending the arrival of Gov. George L. Sheldon who was to be the orator of the afternoon, the Ne braska City band gave a number of selections which ' were well received and which secured quite liberal applause. Gov. Sheldon, who spoke at Weeping Water in the morning, was delayed in arriving and did not get to the grounds until abont 3 o'clock. He was brought j over from Weeping Water by Mr. H.- G. Wellenseik of Avoca in his auto mobile, the run being made in the best time the roads would permit. Afternoon Exercises Hon. Jessie L. Root presided at the afternoon - exercises, aud when Gov. Sheldon arrived, he introduced him in a brief speech, an introduction being among the almost unnecessary matters as the-governor was in the midst of old friends and neighbors. Gov. Sheldon's address was along a different line from that of Judge Old ham in the morning. It was more of a friendly talk of one neighbor to another and created, a most excellent impression. His tribute to old Cass county was re ceived with much enthusiasm and his address as a whole, was a very popular one. He interspersed his address with many stories which illustrated the points he desired to make clear to his audience and evoked much applause and laughter. At the close of his address he was the center of an impromptu reception, old friends gathering, about him and keep ing him busy wringing their hands and listening to their congratulations. Immediately following the address of the governor, there was more music by a quartette under the direction of Mr. H. S. Austin which was a treat, and was listened to by an enthusastic audience, after which the Nebraska City band again gave selections, a free trapeze performance following. At this point the fire whistle from the shops blew and the crowd immediately thinned out. rushing for Main street. Despite this drawback the contests scheduled for the park were pulled off, the first being a ladies' nail driving contest, the judges of which were J. M. Leyda, B. Chrisweiser and Frank Neumann. Mrs. J. L. Thompson was the winner, driving the specified two nails in record-breaking time. There were more entries for this event than could be provided with hammers, but the winner was easily the best in the bunch. The boys' foot race was won by Hoyt White, there being five entries. The judges of this race were George Lehnoff, C. C. Despain and Pat Egan. The sack race furnished much fun and was won by Frank Hiber. The judges of this race were W. T. Ritchardson, A. A. Wetenkamp and Jos. C. Peters. The pie-eating contest raised howls of laughter, the entries literally smearing themselves with pie in an effort to finish first. Wm. Keil won. In this contest the hands of the contestants were tied behind them and they were compelled to eat the pie without using their hands. The contest for the party coming the greatest distance caused a lot of trouble because two of the entries came from almost equal distance, George Schantz coming from Jennings, La., and Miss Alice York coming from Idaho Falls, Idaho. The official table of distances was called into use to solve the puzzle; Miss York winning. The girls race went to Luella White who outfooted her compettiors with ease. The hoop race went to a boy by the name of Fox, he being easily the most prolific hoop roller of the entries. The boy who won the egg race got away without the judges being able to get his name. Music by the Nebraska City band brought a most entertaininsr program to a successful close at the park, the crowd adjourning for supper with a whoop and hurrah. Program on Main Street The Main street program open at one o'clock with a wrestling match on the court house lawn between J. J. Holden, the cop wrestler of Omaha, and Claud McGrew, one of has pupils and also of Omaha. Mr. Holden is the physical director of the Keystone Athletic Club, and is a wrestler of no mean ability. McGrew put up a game match however, and has the makings of an expert in him. The match was one for blood, it being manifested that there was no faking in it. Holden had to roll McGrew about for twelve minues before he could secure his first fall, the bout being provocative of wild applause. Holden took the second fall of the match in nine minutes again rousing the audience to wild en thtsiasm. Perhaps the greatest crowd at any of the events was gathered to witness this match and all were more than pleased. The committee securing this attraction had certainly a drawing card of no mean powers. It was altogeth er a satisfactory exhibition and one that created much favorable comment. Nels Renner took the prize in the barrel race, putting his competitors in the shade with ease, while the three legged race went to .Billings and An drews who were very proficient in this style of racing. The wheelbarrow race was carried off by Ray Patton in hollow style, he running away from his oppon ents. The potato race resulted in a tie between Patton and Renner who divided the purse. The greased pig contest brought out the usual funny events of such racesand the slippery porker finally was caught by John Jones. Democrats Out-Pull the Republicans. Judge Sullivan's celebrated Tug-of-War resulted in his downfall, the demo crats being too much for their opponent the republicans, and winning out. At the start the republicans got the mom entary advantage by two of the demo crats slipping and being dragged across the line but the republicans could not hold their advantage and Capt. Vic. An derson of the democrats rallied his forces and dragged them back. The republi cans struggled manfully but without avail and when the time limit of two minutes was up the democrats had them hard and fast. One of the features of the afternoon performance was the slide for life, a wire being stretched from the top window of the court house to a tele phone pole at the corner of Fourth and Main streets, down which it was re ported a man would slide by his feet. This caused great excitement and avast crowd gathered about. When the"man" appeared however, it turned out to be a stuffed figure which failed to work, and hung flapping about in the wind un til Johnnie Hatt cut the wire and let it down. The crowd enjoyed the joke hugely. This closed the afternoon program on Miin street, and the crowd pronounced itself more than satisfied. At the ball park quite a crowd as sembled to witness the game between the Royal Achates, of Omaha, and the Red Sox, and they were well repaid, for it was one of the snappiest games of the season, being anybody's game until the last mr.n was out. The Acha tes won the game on an error made by the home team in the sixth inning which let three of the visitors cross the home plate, the score being 3 to 0. Hulfish, of Wabash, pitched for Platts mouth, and he pitched a fine game, holding the Achates down to two safe hits. Had his support been what should have been, the result would likely have been different. As it was, everyone was gratified that they had been per mitted to see so good a game. After Supper. Despite the badly torn up condition of the streets, the parade moved over them with celerity and ease, and proved an agreeable surprise to the public. Now for plans for a stock show this fall. Cass county has the horses and cattle and our merchants can organize and hold a stock show that will be a hummer. Keep the ball rolling. MayorGering's activities as a general all around hustler aided largely in mak ing the big show a success. Such men as he, Pres. Wescott, Secy. Hatt, Henry Schneider, A. L. Tidd, D. C. Morgan, F. G. Egenberger, J. P. Falter, Will Ramsey, John Nemetz, John Sattler in sure a successful celebration of any kind. The dance at Coates' Hall closed a program which for length and variety is probably without an equal in the state. The dance was largly attended and passed off very pleasantly, every one enjoying the cool evening immens ly. It was a late hour when the assem blage broke up, everyone tired but hap p, and voting Plattsmouth and its en ergetic citizens the best hustlers out. It is generally the opinion that this is but the start of what is to be a regular series of entertainments for our friends abroad, and it is the belief that all in the future will be as successful as the last one, "The Biggest and the Best," Fourth of July in Plattsmouth 's history Firecrackers The only thing which occurred to mar the pleasantness of the occasion was the unfortunate fire at Weidman's store which put a temporary stop to the pro grams both at tne park and on Main street. The fire which started in some unknown manner caused a mild panic, and was decidedly thrilling. It started in an explosion of a can of gasoline used in the peanut roaster and in less time than it takes to tell it the fireworks were ignited and the air was full of roman candles, rockets and other fire works. There were a number of the peopla in the store at the time but all escaped .without serious injury, the most serious being Henry Weidman who was severely cut in the groin and his brother George, who receieved a severe blow on the head presumably from a rocket. Neither are danger ously hurt, however, and are at their work as usually today. The store was completely wrecked, the front being blown into the street and the stock damaged by fire and water. It is thought however, that the loss will be covered by the insurance. Despite the suddenness of the fire the fire department made a quick run and did fast work con fining the flames to the store and sub duing them without much trouble. As soon as possible the loss will be adjust ed and the store reopened.
